WESTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE
March 12-14 | Reno, Nev.
Can Your Chapter Take the Heat?
Sunday, March 11, 7-9 p.m.
Join ACF High Sierra Chefs Association
members as they host the Chefs of the
West Rib Cook-Off during the Icebreaker
Reception, Sunday, March 11, 7-9 p.m.
Bring your dancing boots and cowboy garb
and dress for a fun and entertaining night of
BBQ and microbrew. Ten teams from chapters
across the ACF Western Region will compete
for bragging rights. Each team will prepare
100 lbs. of St. Louis style pork ribs, and
conference attendees will sample the results.
Admission is included with a full registration.
A la carte tickets are also available through
the conference web page. A portion of the
proceeds from this fundraiser event will go
to the Chef & Child Foundation, the Western
Region Culinary Youth Team and selected
local charities. To register your chapter for
the cook-off, email Fred Wright, CEC, at
wrightchef@gmail.com.
Meet the Hotel Culinary Team
MICHAEL NORTON, CEC, AAC | Executive Chef
Norton has been a culinary leader for more than
30 years, and has been with John Ascuaga’s
Nugget since 2008. He leads an expansive
culinary staff responsible for nine diverse
restaurants, an in-house bakery and a thriving
catering department.
KEITH SADANAGA
Banquet Chef
Keith Sadanaga, a
native of Hawaii,
brings imagination to
his food preparation
at John Ascuaga’s
Nugget as the banquet chef. He leads the
team of chefs that turns ordinary meeting
rooms into gourmet feasts for anywhere from
5 to 1,500 guests.
Hotel Discount Deadline
Looming Large
Deadline, Feb. 17
ACF conference attendees enjoy a discounted
rate of only $85 per night at John Ascuaga's
Nugget Hotel Resort. Your room rate includes
round-trip shuttle transportation to and from
Reno International Airport, complimentary
valet and self-parking in a secured covered
parking structure, and unlimited use of the
fitness center and atrium pool. Reservations
must be made by Feb. 17 to receive this
discounted rate. Book by calling (800) 648-
1177; mention ACF Regional Conference.
Visit the Western Regional Conference Hotel
& Travel Page for more information on the
property, travel discounts, and exclusive
"extend your stay" offers in Reno or nearby
Lake Tahoe.
Schedule Highlights
SUNDAY, MARCH 11
Hands-on Workshops
Accreditation Workshop
Chapter Presidents
Meeting
Chapter Leadership
Training
Chefs of the West
Rib Cook-Off and
Icebreaker Reception
MONDAY, MARCH 12
Educational Seminars
Culinary Demos
Conference Trade Show
Baron H. Galand Culinary
Knowledge Bowl
TUESDAY, MARCH 13
General Session
Educational Seminars
Culinary Demos
Chef Professionalism
Award Luncheon
American Academy of
Chefs Dinner
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14
Educational Seminars
Culinary Demos
Regional Awards Gala
Conference Wrap Party
Visit www.acfchefs.org/events for the most up-to-date information.
American Academy of Chefs
Reception and Dinner
Tuesday, March 13, 6: 30 p.m.
Enjoy an amazing meal hosted by Michael
Norton, CEC, AAC, at John Ascuaga's Nugget,
one of the few family owned casino resorts left
in the country. Norton and his culinary team are
looking forward to making the Academy dinner
an unforgettable experience.
Purchase tickets online
through the conference web
page or call the Academy
office at (904) 484-0202.
